To go on skiiing hol despite DSIL?

[bluetheskyis]

Need advice from skiers, preferably ‘bigger’ ones. Booked to go on a family ski holiday at Xmas with friends, not a posh place think family friendly not very trendy! Was really excited as never been skiing, kids will love it etc. Love idea of daily exercise, fresh air, & socialising with friends in evening. DSIL, who prides herself on being forthright took me aside and told me that there’s no way I can do it - I’ll be embarrassing myself ( and DP, kids) because I’m not fit enough and too fat. She reckons I won’t find ski clothes to wear anyway. And people will be staring, i’ll Slow everyone down, ski lift will be an issue.
Should I pull out? I’ve just paid deposit so there is time.
I’m currently size 18/20 but aiming to be at least 14/16 by Xmas as currently dealing with the weight issue, eating healthier, swim/ walk/play tennis or something every single day at the mo and losing 4-7 lbs a month. Which I feel is sustainable.
Am worried that I will be too fat to ski at 14-16 and will be surrounded by skinny, fit skiers even in the ski school.
Anyone on here plus size and gone ski-in gas a beginner?? I’d hate to miss out on the family holiday it will let them go ahead without me if it’s going to be a disaster.

What a bitch!
I do recommend going to a Sno-Zone in the U.K. beforehand though, as an adult skier. Kids have no fear so seem to progress much faster.
I had about 4 lessons on the Castleford Xscape snow slope and did really well, thought I was the dog’s bollocks. I still nearly shit myself when I found myself on a real mountain! I wouldn’t risk giving her the satisfaction of seeing you freak out.
Also don’t let anyone disuade you from going into ski school on the holiday. Everyone I know who has let friends “show” them how to do, has regretted it. You can always go mornings only.
I am a puny and cowardly creature, I started skiing in my 30s and I LOVE it. The pain with skiing is all front-loaded and the pleasures awaiting you are tremendous.

Also my DH is fat, but also quite fit, he’s pretty good on skis and no one can catch him on a schuss! Her ski-lift comment is bizarre,
She’s talking bollocks.

Hi I'm a size 20 now but a few years ago I went skiing and I was easily a size 18. No one cared the only thing I found was I needed to go a size up in the ski boots cause of my calves.
My skinny friend was with me and she thought she was going to be great cause she was fitter than me and drove a car so had more power in her legs from using the pedals well turned out she was crap and I the "fat unfit " one was quite good. It is hard work but it is enjoyable hard work so enjoy your well deserved break and ignore any snide remarks

Ive been skiing once. I borrowed a pair of padded waterproof trousers and took a couple of coats that I already owned. I hired the ski boots and skis. I joined a beginners course. I really enjoyed the long distance fairly flat ski runs. I didnt enjoy the steeper ski slopes. If you dont enjoy the skiing, you can enjoy people watching while enjoying food & drink. There may be a swimming pool, sauna, spa in your resort. There may be some shops/cinema/library too.
Someone showed me how to get on & off the ski lifts the first time, which was very helpful
If you are unsure, try skiing before you go on holiday
Dont let anyone put you off !

ignore hes shes being a nasty cow

my neighbors goes skiing abroad twice a year for a month at a time

they are 65-70s but very fit,they also use those dry ski slopes very regularly,weekly some times

they are both big people.hes got to be 6ft2-6ft4 and i would say 20 stone plus

she is 5ft roughly and i would say a size 22-24 could be bigger,im a 22 and she does look bigger than me

they come back loving it and not once have they ever mentioned their size being a problem the only time i would say was he told me hes had to have skies made especially as hes a size 14 but as someone whos never ever done it i havent a clue

What a horrible thing to say! Omg I think I would have slapped her! At least she pulled you aside

You sound like your doing fantastic with the weight loss and exercise, you'll reach that size easily by Christmas if you keep it up, really easy.
Also there are always thinner people than us and fatter too, keep going

Just want to ressure you and give you total confidence - you can do this!

Writing this as someone a size larger than you, as a former very minor ski champion (in my modest field) and as someone who fairly recently took a much smaller fitter man, a whole decade younger than me, to a world championship resort and I skied him off the mountain every day...he had to admit defeat mid afternoon. I write this only to give you confidence - that you can do it!

TKMaxx do fantastic ski gear, wait till October, November when the unsold European skiwear from this season gets imported here....masses to choose from.

Also I advocate something like Craghoppers (men’s sizes) elastane walking trousers, with a warm under-layer of your choice - over purpose made ski salopettes.

You will do brilliantly if you can get 3 or 4 sessions quietly in here on a dry or indoor ski slope before you go...get used to the equipment, get your balance, practice basic turns, and get a feel for it.

(And astound your lovely SIL when you arrive in resort 😎)

What a cow- as pp have reassured you there are many people over size 8 who can, and do, ski. I went last year for the first time since I was a much fitter teen, size 16 salopettes and jacket (from Aldi!!), and although I hated the steep stuff and found it tiring, had no issues with equipment or the basic skills. As others have suggested, the fitter you are the more fun you will have. It's a great goal to lose weight for, and you've chosen a very achievable aim. Ignore her bitchy comments and have a great time.

You go and enjoy your holiday and don't let this total nasty bitch put a stop to your fun. She sounds bitter and twisted and never mind taking you aside everyone knows what she is there are plenty of places that will sell the size kit for what you are now let alone a 14/16 so don't worry about that.

I would pull out purely as no way would I be sharing air space with such a bitch, let alone Christmas.
I would then book another ski holiday elsewhere.
P.S you are not too big to ski. I vary between a 14 and an 18 and have skied professionally. Am fuming on your behalf.

Oops sorry just realised i missed page where you said she isnt going. Hurrah!!!

What a prize bitch!
Personally I hate skiing. I love the views, the atmosphere etc but the act of skidding down the side of a mountain on 2 plalnks of wood ain’t for me.
I’ve been going on skiing holidays all my life, I now wave off the family as I settle myself in a cosy restaurant, wrapped in a fur blanket, sitting by a huge open fire with a drink and a good book.
Don’t you let this woman knock your confidence!
Have fun in the snow, build a snowman, have snowball fights, go sledging!

You’ll need to work in your fitness. Core, thighs. Also if you fall I think it will be more difficult getting up. Try and get the slimmest jacket you can. Are your calf’s thick? Might be a problem with boots.

@bluetheskyis. That is ridiculously negative. Firstly, there is no weight limit on skiing. Once you can do it well it honestly involves very little effort, but learning does involve some puff, esp if you fall and have to get up. If you can spend the next 10 months focusing on quad and glute strength and aerobic fitness, you’ll protect your knees and be able to recover at the end of a day’s lessons. The weight won’t help but it won’t hold you back. Ignore anyone who makes you self-conscious, it is fun and the scenery is stunning. There are links to skiing exercises on YouTube etc that will make you better able to get the most out of the week. Also, eBay is great for clothing of all sizes (just had a look at size 16 and there’s some lovely flattering stuff), would just say don’t go there thinking anyone’s there to laugh at you, people are generally really friendly and supportive on the slopes, it’s kind of the point. Anyone who isn’t isn’t worth your time. Planning to take my girls (will be 3 and 6) out for the first time next half term, just trying to decide which kidney to sell to fund it...

Your SIL is nasty piece of work. She’s also wrong, unless her idea of skiing is just posing at a slopeside bar.

I am a size 18, maybe a 16 on a slim day. I’ve been heavier and I’ve been lighter. I live in a mountainous region of North America. I’ve skied between 20 and 50 days every winter for the past 10 years. I regularly see people who’re significantly heavier than me on the hill.

People will not be staring - they’ll be too busy concentrating on their own skiing. The suggestion that the lifts will be an issue is laughable as well as being highly insulting- lifts can cope with being fully laden with big strapping guys who’ll be a lot heavier than you. They’re often used to transport equipment and supplies up the hill too. I have NEVER seen a lift with weight restrictions.

Clothing- look online. Snowboard jackets are often baggier than ski jackets. Avoid slim fit ski pants - they’re not as comfortable and can be cold. Or you can wear men’s ski pants - they usually have much better pockets! I have a wardrobe full of ski gear at all my various sizes. I have never had a problem getting gear. And make sure you wear a helmet!

Enjoy yourself and ignore your bitchy SIL! Where are you going? Bound to be someone here who knows it and can give you tips!

I am in North America too, Obermeyer the US ski gear company do up to US 22 (UK 26), not sure of their availability in the UK but it's important to know there are tons of people out there who ski and are of all shapes, sizes and abilities. Not sure where you live, obviously but a pair of men's pants, if they work for you, no one will know the difference just make sure they are comfy.
Just to unpick things a little, loads of people I ski with are well over size 18, some of the instructors are close to 80 years old. They are so much fun to ski with. I think if you are a good skier, though, skiing is a physically easy sport. If you love the outdoors you will enjoy it so much. But remember a beginner has to work way harder than an experienced skier, both mentally and physically. In preparation I don't think it's about losing weight but about muscle strength, concentrate on squats, deadweights, feeling comfortable getting low is great, weights with some sort of imbalance like one leg dead weights, bosu ball, and of course yoga or pilates to work small muscles like hips, knees, and above all, core. My skiing has come on so much since focussing on this. To drop weight usually people focus a bit more on cardio (sustained between certain levels or maybe HIIT routines) if you can afford a PT for a few sessions, joining a gym sometimes gives you a good rate on this, they could probably tailor something for your goal. But also, remember, if you are doing 2 hours, that's an experienced skiers 6 hours, so do not feel guilty if you mooch round the shops after lunch or have a netflix afternoon. You want to finish the holiday wanting to come back! I really wish you well and hope you have a wonderful holiday, you have such a lovely attitude it can't really go too wrong!

next time she takes you aside to call you fat and tell you that you are an embarrassment, that is what she said basically...
walk back into the room where everyone is and say
"everyone, excuse me i have to ask... Sil just told me im too fat to do xyz and that i will embarrass you all if i do xyz, is that true?? and if it is ill just stay home or go on my own or ill stay away from you all and you can all pretend not to know me"
and then leave the room and let her deal with the fall out
she did it because she knows you wont question it but if she learns that you will question it loudly and let everyone know she called you a fat embarrassment, she will get told off and she will be made to feel embarrassed and most likely she will not be invited to things as she is nasty and disrespectful
hopefully your husband has some backbone and would let her know you are his wife/partner etc and he loves you for you and her opinion can be shoved up her ass

How awful of your SIL to say such a thing to you!

She’s totally wrong. There’s all shapes and sizes of people on the ski slopes.

Laughing at the idea that a ski lift couldn't carry a size 16—18 women! As pp said they can carry two massive guys, plus all their gear. They also carry equipment and supplies.

And ski gear won't fit? That's like saying no women over size 16 can live in the UK, as they won't find a jacket to fit.

What's she going to say next? You'll cause an avalanche on the mountain?

what bollocks.and what a nasty thing to say.even think!
three people in my family were overwight all three were fine and one is now after going again and again one of the best skiers in the family and aces the red runs.
I would recommend going to try on some boots first to see what sizes and fit you might like.
most stores have plus size ski wear.i havet seen a place yet that doesn't do them.
it would be good if you could be fit enough to enjoy yourself.there;s a difference between overweight and unfit.
also could you get some time in a practice slope before hand.i found this so helpful.it gets you passed the initial "oh shit im on skiis" and teaches you those first moments of balancing like you have to and picking up the top tips that can seem really scary if you just head to the slopes without being introduced to it first.
and skiing is only part of it.some of the best times is the apri ski.just being in the mountain air,sitting warm with ur log burners surrounded by family and friends and good people.hot cho and laughter is what makes skiing too!
id ask her to pull out due to having a massive pole stuck up her a**

TheSerenDipitY yes to outing her in the worst possible way

Shes jealous. Has she got friends?

Sounds like your DSIL is a pretentious madam and nasty with it. Urghh - can't bear these skiing know it alls. Keep going with your weight loss for YOU because you want to - you'll feel better for it. Being fitter undoubtedly helps with any sport. skiing with the altitude etc can leave the fittest people out of puff for the first few days until you get used to the height of the resort so keep working on that. However, Other posters are absolutely correct; there are all shapes and sizes on the slope. You sound very focused though - my guess is you'll get fitter between now and then and will have best time there!! Wipe the slope with your DSIL

@kateandme
exactly and being so gracious as even apologizing for not considering how embarrassing it is for them will really get her a telling off
id personally be calling her a cunt to her face but sometimes a bit of PA manipulation is called for!
i cant believe anyone would actually say that to anyone, im fat but if i wanted to go skiing and someone said that to me there would be words and possible actions and they would know the error of their ways

Urghh - can't bear these skiing know it alls.
Except she's not a know-it-all, she clearly knows nothing about skiing. If she did, she would know what everyone else has said about weight limits and the type of people you see doing it. Has she even skied herself I wonder? Or worse, she's just lying because she wants OP to feel so bad that she doesn't go.

We went skiing last year in a big group and one of the guys, who is a very good and experienced skier, really didn't want the non-skiers to come with us because they would hold us back and spoil the fun . It ruined the holiday tbh and there was a huge fall-out when we got back. People are shit, and some of them ski.